fitbit life expectancy

[chappelear2]

I have had six Fitbit devices. In my experience, and from what I’m reading, the average life expectancy of a device is one year. I’m sure this is planned, but I’m sick of it. I will be moving my business elsewhere for my next fitness device. As soon as my Blaze dies, which I’m assuming will be any day now, I’m done wasting my money. Anyone have another brand they love?

[BusheyTrader]

And you can’t participate in Fitbit events with a dead Fitbit either

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All I’ve got out of customer service is them trying to sell me another Fitbit inside warranty until I dug my heels in for a replacement under warranty.   this is shabby service for a substandard product 

[Williger]

@BusheyTrader you were given a generous discount on a new tracker and this makes you angry? It might make you happier if I share you can replace the battery easily and it's cheap on Amazon? LOL, you'll probably be angry at me too, whatever, that's OK, not everyone is happy. I'm happy. Why? Cuz I scored a Blaze battery for $7 🙂 

Actually, you can participate in Fitbit challenges with a dead tracker. My friend Arthur uses Mobilesync with his phone, it's totally free and he's logging lots of steps every week. Cheers.

[Stuliebman1]

Very interesting, @BusheyTrader. However, let me clarify: I never said that I was angry about the eventual demise of my first Fitbit watch. Nor, to the best of my knowledge, did I receive anything like a discount on my new watch purchased in the summer of 2020. You have incorrectly attributed these comment to me. No big deal, of course, just for the record.

[BusheyTrader]

@Stuliebman1 Maybe you need some anger management since you’ve directed your anger at me concerning a statement of anger made by @Williger 

Either way, being offered a 25% discount on another Fitbit, when you’re entitled to a free replacement under warranty and having to push for it is poor customer service.  The brand is tarnished as a result.

[Stuliebman1]

My bad, then. I must have misinterpreted the author of the post. By the
way, I did not write in anger, in any case.

[Tejfol]

This could not be more wrong! Battery must never be allowed to get close zero or close to 100% charge. In fact doing so with very expensive batteries at certain jobs are possible grounds for firing. Batteries do not like extremes, despite the urban legends and spirituality surrounding people's battery charging habits.. Keeping them between 20% and 80% would extend your battery life. Some devices (Not a fitbit, of course) allow automatic charge limits so that you don't have to pull it off the charger before it gets to full.

[Stuliebman1]

Thanks for this very interesting opinion. I knew not to overcharge the
battery, and also not to keep topping up, but the idea of limiting the
extent of fullness and making sure that the charge never went to zero is
not something I was aware of.

[mxiong03]

Same thing happened to me. Very disappointed in Fitbit. For the price you pay… it isn’t worth it. This is sad because every thing else is amazing. If it would last longer than a year or two. 

[Stuliebman1]

I have contributed (I hope) to the discussion of Fitbits and I only
discovered something recently that bears on your comment. I had my "Blaze"
for four years and it continued to function well with the notable exception
of the sleep analysis capability. That is why I decided that I would
switch to the Versa model a year or so ago. It worked perfectly for a
while and then the sleep analysis began to fail, or so I thought. When I
called the help line, they advised me to clean the back of the watch that
touches the skin with alcohol. And, what is amazing is that the function
immediately came back to life. It turns out that if you have an active life
(gym, gardening, etc.), the back gets dirty and occludes the functioning of
the sleep analysis. Since I started cleaning the back every few days with
91 degree alcohol, I have been very pleased with the consistency of the
results. If that is the case with you, perhaps try the cleaning and see if
the situation improves.

[BAbro]

Hi there, thanks for your feedback. I have tried cleaning the back many
times and it still doesn't work. I can still use if for everything except
sleep analysis. I appreciate the idea though!

[Stuliebman1]

Sorry that the technique (if it can be called that) doesn't work for you.
Now, I fear that my Versa will eventually meet the same fate...
Good luck!

[nadiaheisler]

Oh I hear you. I'm ok the third versa.

The lastest one is a versa 2, the heart rate sensor stopped working during the summer.

I finally reached out to them on sept 10, did some trouble shooting. Earlier October I got back to them and they decided the watch was defective, but my warranty had expired (I bought it sept 15 2020).

I told them my first complaint was on sept 10th 2021, within the one year window, but they refused to accept that and said the decision on made in October thus I was not eligible for a replacement. Absolutely despicable! Terrible costumer service. I'll also be moving mine business and all of my family (husband, mother, kids, and friends) elsewhere.

[ritaUrba]

Absolutely agree. It’s a ripoff. Mine died after 18mths. 

[Jwl2020]

I am coming up on 4 years with my Versa. I wear it day and night. It gets dirty and scratched but has served me well until a moth ago when the charge only last 2 days. In fact when it gets to 25% it dies within an hour or so. Looks like I’m the lucky one on this discussion. I would buy another one but wish there was a replacement battery. Buy the way I read that fit bit recommends charging your battery to 100%!

[SunsetRunner]

Might be time to upgrade to a newer model. I’m very happy with Versa 3.
The charger is easier to use, and I like the always on feature. No need to
hope you can see the time when you’re on the run. --
Elizabeth Weinberger, Ph.D.

[BusheyTrader]

Fitbit rode a coach and horses through my brand loyalty when they kept trying to sell me new Fitbits when the faulty items were still under warranty.  Yes you were the lucky one.  I’m more than happy with my non Fitbit replacement.  Don’t mention other brands or you’re censored.

[Sid2112]

I have had my fitbit for YEARS-don’t even know for sure how long! At least 5 and I charge it every morning while I’m getting ready for work. Ive had 10 different wrist bands or more but the fitbit has lasted!! Just today I think it might have died…

[Stuliebman1]

Yes, I had my first for 4 1/2 years before it died. My second is nearing
its two year mark.In general, I have liked them.

[Riri234]

Fitbit is the worst of all that I have ever experienced I would never ever ever purchase a fit but in my life again I have gone through three of them and they are the cheapest utilities I have ever experienced and I’m sure you will never post this!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[BusheyTrader]

How to destroy brand loyalty with poor customer service, that’s Fitbit…